Sight loss charity calls for better accessible voting

In calls echoed by RNIB Scotland - a sight loss charity - people with vision impairments want to vote with greater independence.

According to RNIB research only 13 per cent of sight-loss sufferers could vote without assistance and in secret at the last general election.

Renfrewshire resident Allan Russell, said: "As a blind voter, being able to get to the polling station and know I can get support when there, is really important to me.

"I do have to ask someone to help me vote, which means I can’t yet vote in secret."

Ahead of July 4's general election the Electoral Commission has released online guidance on expectations at polling stations in partnership with sight-loss charities.

RHIB also want more accessibility in political party communications (Image: RHIB)

The aim is to enable more blind and partially sighted voters to cast their votes confidently.

James Adams, director of RNIB Scotland, said: "It’s really important that blind and partially sighted people are able to participate fully in the General Election.

"We’re pleased that the Electoral Commission have put in provisions to make voting as accessible as possible.

"There is a need to improve this process over the long term, and we do appreciate there is work underway to achieve this."

He further stressed the role of political parties in making their communications accessible.

Adding alternative text, or 'alt-text', to images on social media is one adjustment the director believes helps blind and partially-sighted people.

Doing this means a description of pictures and graphics is read out to users.

According to RNIB more than 180,000 people are living with sight loss in Scotland.

The main aid in use presently is the Tactile Voting Device (TVD).

However, as it does not provide candidate names many blind or partially sighted people still need assistance to vote.

Less than a third of them were satisfied with their voting experience in the 2021 UK elections.